Acclaimed novelist and poet Ha Jin started life deep in Maoist China, got shoved into studying English almost by accident, came to the USA — and, astonishingly, within a decade was winning the very top prizes in American literature.

His early works, “Waiting” and “War Trash” and others, were about life and longing in China. Now, the Chinese emigre literary sensation has turned his eye on this country. In his new novel, “A Free Life,” the Chinese immigrant protagonist doesn’t want to run a Chinese restaurant. He wants to be a poet.

This hour, On Point: from China to America. Ha Jin and “A Free Life.”

Guests:

Ha Jin, National Book Award-winning author of “Waiting”and “War Trash.” His new novel is “A Free Life.”

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